MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in a wide range of species. Highly conserved miRNAs regulate ancestral transcription factors common to all plants, and control important basic processes such as cell division and meristem function. We selected 21 conserved miRNA families to analyze the distribution and maintenance of miRNAs. Recentl...

Many Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) cultivars are grown in the arid and semiarid regions of the world, including Saudi Arabia. P. dactylifera is highly tolerant to salinity stress. To investigate the response of Khalas cultivar of P. dactylifera, two-month-old plants were treated with sodium chloride (50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl) for three months. Our result showed that proline content was higher...

Ganoderma colossum is a rare species of Ganodermataceae family with many biological and biochemical properties. It is associated with rot, wilt, dieback, and wood decay of many host plants such as Ficus carcica, Celtis laevigata, Pinus hondurensis, Callitris robusta, Eucalyptus citrodora, E. paniculata, E. puncata, and Phoenix canariensis. In Oman, this pathogen was isolated as new records from...

The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was applied to identify palm varieties. Fluorescence labelled primers were used in selective amplifications and the amplified fragments were detected on capillary gel electrophoresis using an automated DNA sequencer with the analysis fragment option. This is a rapid and efficient technique for detecting a large number of DNA markers on...

The ameliorative activity of aqueous extract of the flesh of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and ascorbic acid on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity was studied in rats. Sixty male rats were divided into six equal groups of 10. Two groups were controls, one treated with thioacetamide and one with only distilled water. Two groups received extract of flesh Phoenix dactylifera and intraperitoneal...

the anamorphic fungus genus periconia is worldwide in distribution and causes foliar disease on plants mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. this study presents the description and illustration of p. palmivora discovered on leaves of phoenix dactylifera (palmae/arecaceae) from terai forest region of uttar pradesh, india. the taxonomic determination was based on morphological characteristi...